Grand National 2025 each way betting: the Racing Post guide to extra places and best bookmaker offers

The Grand National is the biggest betting race in the horse-racing calendar and understanding how best to take advantage of the top bookmaker offers and extra places available is crucial for punters seeking an edge. In this betting guide to Saturday's big race at Aintree, Graeme Rodway provides a comprehensive overview of the market and the key firms to note . . .

bet365

Offering six places on the big race and are competitive on price, too. They will also offer best odds guaranteed on all bets on the race from 8am on the day and therefore you won't be beaten by the starting price should you take the morning odds.

Betfair

Going the industry standard six places, but they are not offering best odds guaranteed and that makes them an unattractive option in comparison with some of their major rivals. 

Coral

Offering five places on the big race and new customers can opt into the Coral Racing Club, which offers experiences and benefits through competition entry.

Coral offer best odds guaranteed on all bets placed from 8am on the day of the race and their early prices therefore won't be beaten by the starting price.

Ladbrokes

Coral's sister company under the Entain banner, but the significant difference between the two is Ladbrokes offer customers who are members of Fanzone odds boosts on their selections, with a minimum of one applied to each account daily.

Just like Coral, they offer best odds guaranteed on all bets placed from 8am on the day of the race, and are mirroring their each-way place terms in the Grand National by offering only five places.

Paddy Power

Offering the standard six places and the best odds guaranteed promotion from 8am on the morning, provided you have opted in on the website. That makes them a solid option. 

Sky Bet

Another popular firm to offer six places to customers, although best odds guaranteed is excluded from extra place and money back races. It is also only available to customers who have qualified for Sky Bet Club the previous week. Bets placed from 9am on the day of the race are eligible, however.

William Hill

Offering the industry standard six places and have been offering best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish horse racing since January 8, 2025.  To qualify, customers must have opted in via the “Best Odds Guaranteed – Opt In” feature.

Hills are giving the standard six places on the big one, which is largely available across the industry.

Seven places

Betfred are the only firm offering an industry leading seven places on the 2025 Grand National and each-way punters should seriously consider taking them up on it. There are now only 34 runners lining up in total this year rather than the 40 that was the norm until last year, so seven places is a huge concession.

RP Recommends: top five tips for betting on the Grand National

1. Take an early price

It makes sense to take the early price on offer in the Grand National. Runners often shorten significantly near the off, particularly those towards the head of the market, and an SP overround of 137 per cent for last year's race illustrates that. The best-price overround at the time of writing is 127 per cent.

2. Check each-way terms

It's vital to check each-way terms. Most firms this year are offering the first six places, but Coral and Ladbrokes go only five and you can get seven with Betfred. The drop to 34 runners appears to have curtailed enthusiasm for offering any more.

3. Take advantage of free bets available

There is nothing to be lost if you don't have to stake anything, so look out for any free bets that might be on offer. You will probably need to be a new sign-up to take advantage, but RPRecommends is the place to find the best promotions.

4. Keep an eye out for impromptu offers

It's Grand National day and there will be plenty of firms competing for your custom. Therefore, it's important to be on the look out for impromptu offers that come up on the morning of the race and bet boosts will probably be among them. If you fancy either of the favourites , there is a good chance that at least one of the major firms will boost their odds significantly on Saturday morning in a bid to entice punters. You just have to get in at the right time.

5. Gamble responsibly

The Grand National is all about having fun and there is no fun in losing more than you can afford. Have a small flutter and enjoy the spectacle as this race is not an easy one to predict and there is no such thing as a certainty.

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.

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